[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Saturday, January 5 2013

[Paul]

Hello and good day, morning, afternoon or evening to one and all, wherever you happen to reside.  I hope and pray that, by God's matchless grace and His providential care, that you all had or are having a good day or evening.

Joanne Wilson wrote an article several years ago entitled "What Is Epiphany?", rendered as follows:

What is Epiphany? Is it relevant today? Epiphany, a Greek word of manifestation or appearance, means "to show forth."

The celebration of Epiphany, one of the festivals of the church, originated in the Mediterranean area.  Its purpose was to honor the baptism of Jesus.  Throughout church history this celebration included the marriage at Cana, the feeding of the five thousand, and the visit of the Wise Men.

After its introduction into the Western Church in the fourth century, the theme emphasized the visit of the Wise Men as recorded in Matthew 2:1-12.  The baptism of Jesus became more obscure in the celebration.  However, the Eastern Church retains the baptism theme to the present day.

The church calendar records Epiphany on January 6th, the anniversary of the visit of the Wise Men to Bethlehem.  Some churches observe a season of Epiphany beginning the first Sunday after January 6th through the eighth Sunday.

White altar cloths are used for the day of Epiphany, expressing the purity and joy in seeing Jesus.  Green altar cloths are used throughout the Epiphany season, symbolic of new life and growth.

Epiphany reminds us of the visit of the Magi, who found Jesus in Bethlehem.  As they left Bethlehem, they told others about the star and the Baby who came to be their Savior.  They were proclaimers of the story of Jesus.

Their description of kings comes from Isaiah 60:3-6: "The Gentiles shall come to your Light, and kings to the brightness of Your rising.  Lift up Your eyes all around, and see:  They all gather together; they come to You; Your sons shall come from afar, and Your daughters shall be nursed at Your side.  Then You shall see and become radiant, and Your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to You.  The multitude of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord." The traditional number of Wise Men comes from the number of gifts mentioned in the biblical account of their visit and worship of Jesus.  The Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus, beginning the custom of gift-giving.

The challenge of Epiphany remains.  "show forth" the Lord Jesus in teaching, talking, living, thinking and attitudes.  It begins with a star trek to Bethlehem to find Jesus personally.  Then "showing forth" the love of Jesus through compassion, understanding, patience and long-suffering to humankind.

Take the challenge! Be a teller of the story.  "Show forth" the Lord Jesus!

And there you have Joanne's article.  Don't know if she's the same lady who is high up in the NFB or not, but her article was very timely.  Now I realize that perhaps not too many of us attend liturgical churches, but for those who do, this article is especially for you.  And as to Jesus being a Baby, well, He was probably two years old at that time and not a Baby.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul